Copper-leaching process.



No. 724,414. PATEN TED MAR. 31, 1903.

\ G, H. WATERBURY.

COPPER LEACHING PROCESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29,1903.

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EUNI'TEI)" STATES GEORGE I-I. \VATER'B IIRY, OF DENVER, OOLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF SIXTY PER P TENT OFFICE.

CENT. TO NATHAN W. BLETI-IEN, ARTHUR E. VAN DEUSEN, CHARLES R SCHUMAKER,QAND CHARLES E. DAVIES, OF DENVER, COLORADO, AND GEORGE D. NIQKEL, OF DEL NORTE, COLORADO.

COPPER-LEACH ING PROCESS.

.SPECIFICATION forniing part of Letters Patent No. 724,414, dated Max-ch 31, 1903. 1

Application filed January 29, 1903 ica, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oopper-Leaching Processes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in processes for the leaching of copper-bearing ores.

In my improved copper-leaching process I employ sulfuric or sulfurous acid, common salt, (chlorid of sodium,) together with black oxid of manganese. The acid, salt, and oxid of manganese are placed in a suitable closed receptacle, together with the ore pulverized to a suitable mesh, and water added. The contents of the receptacle are then agitated for a suitable period, when the copper will be dissolved. The liquid containing the copper in solution is then drawn off and may be precipitated in any suitable manner.

I have illustrated a suitable apparatus for.

carrying out my process, though nothing is claimed in this application on the said mechanism. v

The accompanying drawing is a side elevation of a revoluble cylindrical tank, the chute or trough for draining off the solution being shown in cross-section.

In the view let the numeral 5 designate the cylindrical tank provided with end trunnions 6, engaging journal-boxes 7, mounted on suitable standards 8. This tank is centrally provided with a large manhole closed by a head 9 and a similar manhole closed by a head 10, the two members being diametrically located. The tank is also provided with a small opening normally closed by a screw-cap 12. One of the tank-trunnions is provided with a wormwheel 13, operated by a worm 14, provided Serial No. 141,068. (No specimens.)

with a pulley 15, connected by a belt 16 wit a line-shaft (not shown) or other suitable motor.

In practicing the process a quantity of suitably-pulverized ore sufficient fora charge may be placed in the tank through the large manhole. A suitable quantity of water is then added, after which the larger manhole may be closed, and the acid, salt, and oxid of manganese may then be introduced through the small opening, the screw-cap 12 being removed for the purpose. 7 I tank are then heated to a suitable temperaturesay from 130 to 150 Fahrenheit-by the introduction of steam through the small opening. The tank is then tightly closed and rotated, preferably, from ten to fifteen revolutions per minute through the instru mentality of the worm-gear. The rotation of the tank may be continued from twenty minutes to two'hours, depending on the character of the ore under treatment.

The chemical reaction which takes place :in the tank during the leaching operation may be described as follows: The oxygen of the oxid of manganese unites with the salt to form sulfate of soda and chlorid of manganese. The free sulfuric acid in turn attacks the chlorid of manganese, forming sulfate of manganese and evolving free chlorin gas, which gas is taken up by the water until the latter'becomes fully saturated. The surplus chlorin and the chlorin-water attack the copper of the ore, dissolving the latter and forming chlorid of copper, from which the copper may be precipitated in any suitable manner.

In drawing off the solution after the leach ing process has been completed the manhead 9 is removed and the tank tipped to bring the large manhole lowermost and immediately above the trough 17. The solution is then drawn off, and water may be introduced through the smaller manhole until the copper solution is entirely removed from the gangue.

111 further explanation of my improved copper-leaching process it may be stated that, assuming a ton of ore is to be treated, the following proportions of the different ingredients may be employedthat is to say, one hundred and twenty-five pounds of salt, one hundred and twenty-five pounds of oxid of manganese, and fifty to one hundred and twentyfive pounds of acid, the quantity of acid depending upon its strength and upon the per cent. of copper carried by the ore to be treated.

The above proportions will give good results;

the pulp to agitationfuntil the copper has been dissolved. Y

'2. The copper-leaching process herein described, consisting in subjecting the suitablypulverized ore to the action of acid, salt, oxid of manganese and water in a closed receptacle, and agitating the mass until the copper has been placed in solution.

.3. The herein-described copper-leaching process, consisting in placing the suitablypulverized ore in a 1eaching-tank, adding water, acid, common salt and oxid of manganese in suitable quantities, heating the mass by the introduction of steam, to a suitable temperature, and finally subjecting the pulp to agitation during a suitable period.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. WATERBURY.

Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBRIEN. 

